City of Chenoa City Council met June 27.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Chenoa City Council met in regular session on June 27, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Shane, Commissioners Myers, Price, Moreland, Lopeman, and City Clerk Rhoades were in attendance.
#5538 Commissioners Price and Moreland moved and seconded the Motion that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 13, 2023, the Minutes of the Executive Session of June 13, 2023 be approved. That the bills and payrolls be allowed, and orders on the Treasurer be drawn in payment of same. The roll call vote was affirmative.
#5539 Commissioners Moreland and Price moved and seconded the Motion to Approve to Appoint Keenan Wilson to the Economic Development Committee. The roll call vote was affirmative.
#5540 Mayor Shane and Commissioner Moreland moved and seconded the Motion to Approve an Ordinance Rezoning Certain Real Estate in Crossroads of Chenoa Subdivision in the City of Chenoa, McLean County, Illinois. Ordinance #854. The roll call vote was affirmative with Commissioner Lopeman negative.
#5541 Commissioners Lopeman and Price moved and seconded the Motion to Approve Ordinance Amending the Hotel Operator’s Occupation Tax Ordinance to Provide for Increased Use Tax, Title 3, Chapter 8, Section 3. Ordinance #855. The roll call vote was affirmative.
#5542 Commissioners Lopeman and Myers moved and seconded the Motion to Approve to Move to Closed Session. The roll call vote was affirmative.
#5543 Mayor Shane and Commissioner Lopeman moved and seconded the Motion to Approve to Return to Open Session. The roll call vote was affirmative.
#5544 Commissioners Lopeman and Price moved and seconded the Motion that the council do now adjourn. The roll call vote was affirmative.
IN OTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE COUNCIL:
Presentation & Discussion from Dalena Welkomer (dwelkomer@rwbaird.com) regarding the refinancing of the 2017 Tax Bond
Dalena Welkomer said the interest rates on the bonds range from 4.5 percent to 4.9 percent. Under current tax laws, the earliest the City could refinance the bond at tax exempt rate is three months prior to the call date. The call date is December 1, 2023. If they get the process started in September and the interest rates are the same the interest rate could be 3.62 percent. She said this is very similar to mortgage refinancing. The potential savings is $5,000 to $10,000 annually, which totals almost $100,000 over the life of the bond. The original bond was for $2,000,000 and the refinance would be for $1,580,000. The council had no further questions and will reach out to her in the next few months if they do have questions before starting the process in September.
Appoint Keenan Wilson to the Economic Development Committee
The council had no questions or concerns.
Extending S. Veto Street to Kentucky Avenue for Addressing Purposes
Commissioner Lopeman said he could not find anything in the City Code for this. He spoke with Brandon from the County and he agreed to make that the 400 Block of S. Veto. The council agreed to have Attorney Mann draw up an ordinance to make that change and try to call a Special Meeting as soon as possible to allow them to get their business license.
Ordinance Rezoning Certain Real Estate in Crossroads of Chenoa Subdivision in the City of Chenoa, McLean County, Illinois
The council had no questions or concerns.
Ordinance Amending the Hotel Operator’s Occupation Tax Ordinance to Provide for Increased Use Tax, Title 3, Chapter 8, Section 3
The council had no questions or concerns.
Expectations of the EDC
Mayor Shane said they have been working on the TIF lately. He would also like them to work on an inventory of the property for businesses for rent or purchase. Commissioner Moreland asked if they can determine if TIF applications are following guidelines. Mayor Shane said they can do that and bring it to the council's attention. Commissioner Moreland would like to see more structure for the agreements for the service businesses vs. the ones that bring in sales tax.
Sewer, Drainage, Garbage and Surcharges on Address without an Active Water Account Mayor Shane said a resident was told if they kept their account current for 12 months they would get their deposit back, but he can not find that in the code. City Clerk Rhoades explained this is the third ordinance regarding water deposits and there is a spreadsheet tracking which ordinance applies to each resident. Treasurer Rowold is working on calculating the interest that is owed and they will reimburse people back after that. The council agreed to table this until they can verify with Attorney Mann regarding people being grandfathered in based on what the code was when they signed up. Commissioner Moreland feels once the water is turned off at a property the account is closed. There were some people they had to track down for garbage, surcharge, and drainage even though their water was shut off. It was discussed to suspend the account instead of closing the account. They agreed to have something wrote up for the next meeting.
Comments from the Floor
Troy Aldrich, Chenoa Fire Chief announced they issued a burn ban effective immediately due to the extremely dry condition. He asks residents to not shoot personal fireworks. They are trying to keep the fireworks at the football field still going by watering the ground in the area.
Ed Straw requested a donation for the 36th Fishing Derby on August 27. The council agreed to give them $200 this year.
Marilyn Whitmar shared her concerns with the building next to City Hall being hazardous. The council is working on their options for places like that in town.
Liz Easley said the old Canning Factory is hazardous as well. She also asked if new flags would be put up before the 4th of July and was told it is on the list for the guys.
Marcia Curtis praised the water department for all the hours they have put into the water main breaks.
Attorney's Comments
None
Treasurer’s Comments
None
Commissioner’s Comments
Commissioner Moreland said Dalton, Josh, and Zack did great being out fixing things until after midnight on several nights with all of the breaks that happened. The girls did great in the office with trying to keep up on everything. He thinks the water main breaks are under control now.. He explained when they lost the pressure from the big break it blew the weak spots out when the pressure went back through. He has been looking for grants for the mains
Commissioner Lopeman said street guys have been busy with water main breaks. Oppermen should be here to hot patch the holes from the breaks and the patch in the intersection of Owsley and Veto before the 4th. He has a list of trees that need to come down but is waiting to find out the insurance requirements from the City. Also, been working with Farnsworth to get a townwide plan for the storm sewer which would be about $60,000. He asked the council if he can get a formal proposal to get an actual cost. Council agreed to get an actual cost to budget for it in the future.
Commissioner Price said there are new soap dispensers for the park restrooms, flags going up all around, and football field bathrooms are open for the 4th of July. They will be working to finish getting things ready for the 4th.
Commissioner Myers said he will be sharing information from a guy to help get us some funding and grants that can be paid as you go.
Mayor Shane said he is reaching out to everyone he can to get emergency money to help with the main breaks. He is also looking at grants to get the mains replaced. He thanked Sam’s Club and Wal-mart for all of the donated water during the time the City had no water.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
https://www.chenoail.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif6431/f/minutes/6_27_23.pdf
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